AQUARIUM & FIRSTS...

Today was an extremely windy day, but we braved the wind and went downtown with Ethan's class for the last field trip of the year - the Denver Aquarium. We had a fabulous time. The kids were adorable. From the moment we arrived they were full of enthusiasm. They loved chasing the bubbles in front of the building, the flash flood exhibit, all the sharks, the 3 tigers (who kept coming right up to the glass in front of them and pacing back and forth) and the sting rays. At least those are the things they talked about the most. It was a fabulous day. We tried to eat our lunch outside because it was a gorgeous day...and then the wind kicked up and the kids were holding their lunches for dear life. We finally stopped trying to fight the wind and moved the party to the indoor play place behind the aquarium restaurant. The kids had a fabulous time & played there until we had the brave the wind and return to our cars.

After dropping off my carload of kids at Ms. Betsy's, I returned to our house only to assume the glorious duty of garbage collector. Of course, today is garbage day, and not only garbage day - but recycling day. Garbage cans were tipped over everywhere (thankfully, on our street, they had already been emptied). The recycling bins had also been emptied - but unfortunately, not into the recycling truck. Many of our neighbors recycling bins had been blown over, and their recycling was strewn all up and down the street. Our yard was full of cans and bottles etc. I cleaned up our yard and added the goods to our recycling bins (that, as you will note, had not effected because I break the rules and use trash bags IN the bins). I started trying to pick up a few things from our neighbors yards, but gave up after seeing that there was far too much to chase down, particularly with the wind continuing to blow more and more trash. My job was done...I tucked our garbage cans safely in their spots and headed out with the kids to the library.

We stayed at the library just long enough to get our standard 12 books and 4 movies. By the time we returned home, one of our neighbors trash cans and recycling bins were sliding down the street, and had gone at least 30 - 50 yards from their home. I tried to call Jeaninne, but couldn't get ahold of her, and I knew that if they weren't caught, those bins would be difficult to find. I pulled my car into the garage, jumped out, left my kids in the car and ran down the street chasing Hugh and Jeaninne's recycling bins and trash can. How is that for loving your neighbor? I dragged them all back up the street and tucked them up against their garage door and returned to my house feeling quite satisfied that I had done some good service for the day.

Tonight, for FHE, Brynn said her first prayer (I told her what to say, but she said it all out loud). It was PERFECT. I adore my kids. They are the most amazing gifts I could ever imagine. XOXO. Love you Ethan and Brynn.

Over the past few days...here are a few other highlights:

- Brynn often finds her way down to the basement when Sarah is down there training for her upcoming Iron Horse bike race. As you can see, Brynn is VERY helpful. ( ;

- When Ethan has a while to spend in the bathroom, he often requests the company of Brynn...he says just having her in the room helps him to be able to do his business faster. I'm not sure how that works - but if Brynn is a willing, I often send her for a visit and to be the support system Ethan believes her to be.

(Let's be honest, the request for her presence will not last much longer). This time in particular, I heard him call out for Brynn to come see him. When I went to check in on them, this is what I found. They sure are cute together...

On another note, a week ago (or so), Ethan and I were talking what our plans were going to be for the upcoming couple weeks. I told him that school was going to be coming to a close and that Ms. Betsy had a carnival planned for his last day of preschool, to which he replied "I don't go to carnivals...carnivals are for Chinese people." I'm not sure what he meant by that, or where he got that idea. The only explaination I can come up with is that he saw a little story on Sesame Street about a family who worked for, and traveled with the circus. Other than that exposure, we've never actually BEEN to a carnival. He's such a funny kid.